✨ Before we get started, an exciting announcement! ✨
If you’re a food, nutrition, or culinary professional dreaming of publishing a cookbook with a traditional publisher, join me for the Publish Your Cookbook event starting Monday, October 20, 2025.

In this free training, you’ll learn the shortcut most aspiring authors miss — how to sell your cookbook concept before writing the entire manuscript. You’ll discover how to position yourself as the author publishers want right now and follow the exact steps to land your first book deal. Don’t miss this opportunity! 👉 Register at publishcookbooks.com.

A quick shout-out to Mari, a long-time listener of the Cookbook Love Podcast, who recently shared in our Confident Cookbook Writer Facebook Group:

“I self-published a cookbook! I’m not in the writing program, but I wanted to thank Maggie Green for the amazing Cookbook Love Podcast I’ve been binging for the past two years. I wouldn’t have finished my book without your guidance.”

Her story is a beautiful reminder of the impact of showing up and sharing knowledge—one podcast at a time.

Today’s guest is Mary Bryant Schrader, creator of Mary’s Nest, a beloved YouTube channel with over one million subscribers and more than 600 videos on traditional cooking skills—think bone broth, sourdough, and fermentation.

Mary’s new book, The Modern Pioneer Pantry: A Complete Guide to Preserving Food, brings timeless kitchen wisdom into today’s world.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What traditional foods really are

• Why food preservation matters now more than ever

• The Four Corners Pantry concept

• Lessons Mary has learned from YouTube and cookbook writing

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Register for the Publish Your Cookbook masterclass

Join the Confident Cookbook Writer Facebook Group

Mary's Nest

✨Before we get started, an exciting announcement ✨
If you’re a food, nutrition, or culinary pro and you dream of being published by a traditional publisher, I want to invite you to my upcoming Publish Your Cookbook event where you will learn the shortcut most aspiring authors miss when publishing their cookbook. You’ll discover how to position yourself as the author publishers want right now, and the exact steps to land your first book deal. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Head to publishcookbooks.com to register for the event.

Today I’m joined by award-winning author Maureen Abood to talk about her beautiful new book, Lebanese Baking. Known for her warm storytelling and deep connection to Lebanese food culture, Maureen invites us into the heart of her kitchen and heritage. During the interview, we discussed:

• Behind the table of contents: how Maureen designed the book to blend classic staples, family favorites, and innovative takes.

• The significance of sharing: why the act of baking and offering food to others is central to Lebanese tradition.

• Homemade phyllo dough: what inspired her to include this ambitious yet rewarding recipe, and how she makes it approachable.

• A baker’s starting point: which recipes Maureen recommends if you’re new to baking and to Lebanese cuisine.

If you’ve ever been curious about Lebanese flavors, want to expand your baking repertoire, or simply love the idea of food as a way to connect and share, this conversation will inspire you to preheat your oven and invite someone to the table.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Register for the upcoming Publish Your Cookbook event

Maureen Abood

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I’m excited to talk to you about one key tool in the life of most cookbook authors, and that’s an email list. Part of the reason I want to talk about this is that there is a misconception that we have to chase publishers and agents. But what I’ve found to be true in my own life, in the lives of my students, and in the lives of the authors I’ve talked to on the show is that publishers and agents are looking for a food, culinary, or nutrition expert like you. And how will they find you? That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about. What makes for a strong author platform is the heart of the platform, your email list. I’ll break down why your list is your most valuable publishing asset, how to simplify your platform so it feels doable, and how to reignite your list to connect with your audience starting today.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Download the Cookbook Author Platform Checklist

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. I just finished enrolling new students into Cookbooks on KDP and wanted to share something with you based on my conversations with aspiring cookbook authors. When I talk to successful cooks, bakers, dietitians, chefs, and others who have a ton of kitchen experience to share, I hear them say things like: “I don’t have time.” “I’m not techie enough.” “Do I need an audience first?” “I’m not a dietitian”. But underneath those words is something we all face, what I call Doubt Soup. In this episode, I explore how doubt shows up in disguise, why it keeps so many cookbook dreams on hold, and what we can do instead of sit in the Doubt Soup.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Join the waitlist for the 2026 cohort of Cookbooks on KDP

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the Cookbook Love Podcast, I’m sharing what I call the hidden beginning of publishing. Over the years, we’ve talked a lot about the types of publishing — self, traditional, and hybrid — and we’ve heard from hundreds of authors who’ve chosen each of those paths. But behind the scenes, there’s another part of the publishing journey we rarely talk about: the inner life of a cookbook author, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Publishing isn’t just about producing a book. It’s about letting the love you already live with spill over into something permanent, dignified, and shareable.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Doors are open for enrollment in Cookbooks on KDP

Interviews with Graduates of Cookbooks on KDP:

Episode 352: Kasey Lobb

Episode 356: Cristina Carolan

Episode 313: Gerry Romano and Katelin Maidment

Episode 287: Lorraine Carlstrom

Episode 288: Chantal Secours

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I’m joined by Camille Beckstrand of Six Sisters’ Stuff. What began in 2011 as a way for six sisters to stay connected after leaving their childhood home has grown into one of the top family-friendly recipe websites on the internet. With a focus on simple, approachable meals, Six Sisters’ Stuff has become a trusted source for millions of families worldwide.

Their latest cookbook, 30-Minute Meals with Six Sisters’ Stuff: 100+ Quick and Easy Meals the Whole Family Will Love!, brings their signature family-first approach into the kitchen with more than 100 quick, delicious, and stress-free recipes. Whether you’re a busy parent, a working professional, or someone who craves home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen, this book is your go-to guide. Today on the show we talk all about:

• The evolution of Six Sisters’ Stuff from blog to thriving business

• Writing cookbooks and how they fit alongside online recipes

• Choosing cookbook topics and themes

• Strategies for making meals in under 30 minutes

• Fan-favorite recipes:

• • Lemon Brownies

  • Two-Ingredient Naan

  • Butter Chicken

  • Mexican Street Corn Tacos

• Why dinner served in bowls is so popular right now

This episode is packed with insights about food blogging, cookbook writing, and making mealtime easier without sacrificing flavor.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Six Sisters’ Stuff: 30-Minute Meals book

Six Sisters Stuff

Join the Cookbook Publishing Masterclass now in progress

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not really an expert… who am I to write a cookbook?” or conversely “They’re not really an expert…who are they to write a cookbook? You’re not alone. For years, publishers, editors, and agents acted as gatekeepers, deciding who was “qualified” to write a cookbook.

But times have changed.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through:

• The old gatekeepers who kept most voices out of publishing

• How traditional publishing is shifting and why publishers now want new and unique lived experiences

• How self-publishing platforms have blown the doors open

• Who the real gatekeepers are today

• And the most important truth: the only permission you need

You’ll also hear about The Cookbook Publishing Masterclass, a free 3-part training series I’ve created to help you take the next step toward your cookbook dream. It begins September 2, and it’s the perfect way to see what’s possible when you stop waiting for permission.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

• Join the waitlist for the Cookbook Publishing Masterclass beginning September 2, 2025

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the podcast I share three questions that came up during Recipe Week LIVE 2025: how to ethically adapt recipes, how to move from passive learning to active doing, and how to price a self-published print cookbook on Amazon with confidence.

Today on the show, I share:

• Adaptation & attribution: Why ingredient lists and basic processes aren’t generally copyrightable and how your expression (voice, headnotes, tips, stories, history, technique rationale) creates protectable originality. Simple, honest “inspired by/adapted from” credit keeps you on solid ethical ground.
  
  

• From learning to doing: Why passive learning feels comfortable, and how small, courageous actions (blank page → draft → test → iterate) build momentum. Use tools like a Pre-Recipe Tool or documentation is the bridge to capture ideas and start writing.
  
  

• Pricing with confidence: Why $25–$40 is common for premium print cookbooks, how color and page count affect your KDP print costs, and why price is a signal of value and not a race to the bottom with a lost cost book. Consider your margin and own your profit goal.
  
  

Things We Mention in This Episode:

• Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP (September 2025 enrolling soon)
  
  

• KDP Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator